MOSCOW – The breakaway Georgian republic of Abkhazia is holding a presidential election Sunday to replace the leader who stepped down in January under pressure from the opposition.
Raul Khadzhimba resigned as president in January, days after demonstrators seized his office to protest alleged violations in September's election in which Khadzhimba won a second five-year term.
Khadzhimba initially denounced the move as a coup attempt, but submitted his resignation “for the sake of peace and stability.” He acted after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide, Vladislav Surkov, arrived in the capital, Sukhumi, to help mediate the conflict.